Types of Recruitment: Contingent vs Retained vs Exclusive
If you’re new to recruitment, you’ve probably already heard a few unfamiliar terms being thrown around, like contingent, retained, or exclusive. These aren’t just industry buzzwords. They’re different ways of working with clients, and understanding them early on can really help you get your head around how recruitment works in practice.
Each one shapes how we work, how we’re paid, and how we build relationships. So whether you’re filling your first few roles or just getting to grips with the process, here’s a simple breakdown of what each model actually means.
- Contingent recruitment
- Retained recruitment
- Exclusive recruitment
- Retained search vs contingency recruitment
What is contingency recruitment?
Contingent recruitment is the most common way recruiters start out. In this model, the recruitment agency only gets paid if they make a successful placement. There’s no upfront fee, and the client might be working with multiple agencies at the same time.
In real terms, that means:
- You’re often in a race – either against other recruiters or internal teams.
- You might work hard on a role that you don’t end up filling (and so don’t earn any commission from).
- There’s less commitment from the client, and usually less collaboration.
It’s fast, it’s competitive, and it teaches you a lot. Many recruiters build their resilience, pace, and instincts working this way, and that experience is invaluable as you grow.
What is retained recruitment?
Retained recruitment is a more committed partnership. The client pays part of the fee upfront, with the rest typically paid in stages, for example, when a shortlist is delivered and again at placement.
What it looks like in practice:
- You’re working exclusively so there are no competing agencies involved.
- You’re trusted to run a thorough, high-quality process.
- You’ll often help shape the role, guide on the market, and lead the full search.
- You’re paid for the work you do, not just the outcome, but expectations are higher as a result.
This model is usually used for senior, specialist, or business-critical hires where the client needs a deeper level of support and insight. It’s more involved, more strategic, and can be more rewarding.
What is exclusive recruitment?
Exclusive recruitment is somewhere in the middle of contingent recruitment and retained recruitment. You’re still only paid when you make a placement (like in contingent), but the client agrees to work only with you for a set period of time.
Here’s what that means:
- You’ve got breathing space to focus on doing a great job, without the pressure of competition.
- The client gets a better, more focused service.
- You’ve earned a level of trust, even if there’s no upfront fee.
Exclusive roles are often a good sign. They show the client values your relationship and believes you’re the right person to find the right person.
Retained search vs contingency recruitment
On the surface, the difference seems to be all about how we’re paid – contingent is outcome-based, retained has upfront or staged fees. But there’s more to it than that.
It’s really about the type of partnership.
- Contingent recruitment is fast and reactive. It’s often more transactional, and clients may not always be fully committed.
- Retained recruitment is deeper and more consultative. There’s more trust, more strategy, and usually a stronger working relationship.
Think of it like this:
Contingent = Transactional
Retained = Consultative
Both have their place. But knowing which model you’re working in helps you show up in the right way, and explain your value clearly.
Getting to grips with these different ways of working isn’t just helpful, it’s part of becoming more confident and professional in your role. It’ll help you ask better questions, set clearer expectations, and build stronger client relationships.
No matter which model you’re working in, the goal stays the same: help great people find great roles, and give provide everyone with a brilliant customer experience along the way. How you get there can look very different depending on the approach.
Are you looking to get into recruitment?
Right now we’re hiring trainee recruitment consultants – no experience required.
